03 June 2017

Created in 1941 by John Goldwater, Vic Bloom and Bob Montana, the Archie characters have endured for seven decades! Plenty long enough to spawn alternate versions of themselves. One of these "alternate takes" is currently on the hit CWTV show "Riverdale". Another is found here @ Pop Culture Cantina.

These Archie images are so different they're almost unrecognizable: Archie and Veronica, both of Italian descent, are married adults. So (for a time) are the half-Jewish Betty and Jughead (and the other half of Juggy's heritage is Japanese). Reggie Mantle is a Bisexual, half-Cherokee, one-quarter Aboriginal immigrant from Australia!

So there's mucho ethnic diversity, but the most important difference is that our version of The Archies is a superstar Rock band, taking up where Fleetwood Mac left off. Largely Country Rock in their orientation, they also delve into Psychedelia, Disco, Heavy Metal, Latin music and Jump Blues. Key to their success during this period is Nicholas "Big Nipsy" Freund: Just your typical Mob-connected talent manager! But Big Nipsy is also much more: A relentless promoter, a close personal friend to Archie, and an ex-folksinger capable of subbing for an absent guitarist on stage.

In addition to the members already mentioned, the group will grow to include Trevor Smith, bass man extraordinaire and brother to Valerie Smith, lead singer of Josie + The Pussy Cats; and Jamaican-born singer, guitarist and choreographer Toni Topaz. While he resists becoming an official member, keyboard player (and Reggie's future husband) Kevin Keller is an integral participant in The Archies' adult career, too.

As teenagers, the band recorded for Kirshner Records, but the adult group signs with an indie label owned by Archie, Veronica and sound engineer Alan M (borrowed from the Josie comic strip). Archie Records markets nothing but Archies music except for choice releases by some of their friends; within a year's time, the label starts pulling hit after hit! Versatile producer Ralfi Chingas shepherds the group through their new musical excursions. Ralfi is ably assisted by a small group of skilled session players: Arrangers Bree (Sabrina) Spellman and Justin Strickland; music director Jonniemae Trouten; horn virtuoso Rey Cochino; Tejano sensations Mariachi Lowrider; crackerjack Country band Katz + The Fiddles; Reggie Mantle's talented future wife Olga San Quentìn and last but not least, the brilliant Dilton Doiley Briseño. Dilt secretly craves the chance to produce The Archies his damn self! Dude ends up co-producing the biggest-selling album of their career, Èxitos en Español!

Cartoons + Castanets' six-part online graphic novel "Say Goodbye To Riverdale" references many recordings by the adult Archies. All of them (and more) are listed here! This sessionography is the latest installment of our ongoing tribute to the Great American Rock 'n' Roll Songbook. It is restricted to record dates attended by the adult Archies; no session information for the teenage group is included. With a handful of exceptions, this six-part listing also excludes demos and live recordings. Here are recording locations,

recording dates, song titles, release information for each song and of course, the names of all the musicians, arrangers, producers and sound engineers. Ninety-nine percent of the songs are bonafide compositions . . . everything else here is 100% bullsh*t!

Compiled by STUFFED ANIMAL

for The Pop Culture Cantina

Part One:

GETTIN' STONED, A COUNTRY

COMEBACK AND A CELEBRATION

OF BRILL BUILDING POP

THE ARCHIES:

ARCHIE ANDREWS - Guitars

BETTY JONES - Sax, Fiddle

JUGGY JONES - Drums, Percussion

REGGIE MANTLE - Bass

RONI LODGE-ANDREWS - Keyboards

2002

SINGLES SESSIONS

(INSTRUMENTALS + VOCALS)

JANUARY 16-21, 2002

EL RANCHO CHINGAS,

BAYAMON, PUERTO RICO

Walk With A Winner - Retro box set

Can't Escape From You, Baby! - Australian Singles Collection box set

Niki Hoeky - Big Noise From Riverdale box set

Rock It! - fan club single

THE ARCHIES

w/RALFI CHINGAS, trumpet + percussion

Arranger/Producer: RALFI CHINGAS

Sound Engineer: MIGUELITO

These were the adult Archies' first finished masters

recorded with their new producer. A successful demo

session preceded this date, prompting Archie

and Veronica to schedule a singles session;

however, years will pass before any of

these songs see light of day.

EP SESSIONS

(INSTRUMENTALS)

FEBRUARY 21-26, 2002

ARCHIE SOUND STUDIOS (ASS),

MAMARONECK, NEW YORK

YOU'RE A SWEET SWEETHEART (overdub) - single flipside

HI-DE-HO (overdub) - Retro box set

SO MUCH LOVE (overdub) - Retro box set

ONE FINE DAY (overdub) - Retro box set

THE ARCHIES

Arranger/Producer: RALFI CHINGAS

Sound Engineer: ALAN MAYBERRY

An overdub session for four demos recorded in 2001

with CAROLE KING. The proposed extended-

play album was never released. These demoswill be remixed twice more: In the year 2017and for the last time in 2027.

ALBUM SESSIONS

(INSTRUMENTALS)

MARCH 2002

RYMAN OPRY HOUSE,

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

EYES OF A NEW YORK WOMAN

HEAVEN ONLY KNOWS

DOWN IN THE BOONDOCKS

GOOD DEAL, LUCILLE

A SATISFIED MIND

LONELY WEEKENDS

PRETTY ANNA BELLE - discarded

I DON'T WANNA LOVE YOU

MY MARIA

JUST SOMEONE I USED TO KNOW

PARTY DOLL

MY HEART SKIPS A BEAT

RUBY ANN

IF YOU AIN'T LOVIN, YOU AIN'T LIVIN'

BIG CITY MISS RUTH ANN

SWEET CITY WOMAN

DIESEL ON MY TAIL

ROSALIE

PLAIN AND SIMPLE

THE ARCHIES

w/DILTON DOILEY BRISEÑO, guitar, fiddle, accordion

Arranger/Producer: RALFI CHINGAS

Sound Engineer: ALAN MAYBERRY

The Archies begin recording a double-length Countrymusic album. The Ryman Opry House was home to the Grand Ole Opry for many years.

ALBUM SESSIONS

(VOCALS)

MARCH 2002

SUN STUDIOS,

MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE

My Marìa - Archie Country LP

I Don't Wanna Love You - single flipside, Archie Country LP

Lonely Weekends - single, Archie Country LP

Good Deal, Lucille - single, Return To Archie Country LP

Diesel On My Tail - single flipside, Return To Archie Country LP

Just Someone I Used To Know - single flipside, Archie Country LP

THE ARCHIES

w/KEVIN KELLER, backing vocals

Arranger/Producer: RALFI CHINGAS

Sound Engineer: ALAN MAYBERRY

"Lonely Weekends" was the first hit single for the adult Archies.

"Good Deal, Lucille" became a hit in 2009. Reggie

sang lead on both sides.

ALBUM SESSIONS

(VOCALS)

APRIL 2002

SUN STUDIOS,

MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE

Party Doll - Archie Country LP

Rosalie - single, Archie Country LP

Down In The Boondocks - Archie Country LP

My Heart Skips A Beat - Archie Country LP

Ruby Ann - Archie Country LP

A Satisfied Mind - single flipside, Archie Country LP

If You Ain't Lovin', You Ain't Livin' - Return To Archie Country LP

Heaven Only Knows - Return To Archie Country LP

Plain And Simple - Return To Archie Country LP

Big City Miss Ruth Ann - single flipside, Archie Country LP

THE ARCHIES

w/KEVIN KELLER, backing vocals

Arranger/Producer: RALFI CHINGAS

Sound Engineer: ALAN MAYBERRY

"Down In The Boondocks" and "Plain And Simple" were

also issued as fan club singles. Archie sang lead

on both sides.

ALBUM SESSIONS

(INSTRUMENTALS)

MAY 2002

RYMAN OPRY HOUSE,

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

I AIN'T NEVER!

PRETTY ANNA BELLE - retake

COMIN' ON STRONG

WALK A MILE IN MY SHOES

BIG CITY MISS RUTH ANN - unreleased retake

THE RACE IS ON

WAITING FOR YOU

MY BOY ARCHIE

SLEEPY-EYED JOHN

NO LOVE AT ALL

EVERYBODY

WHEN I STOP LEAVIN', I'LL BE GONE

DON'T HIDE YOUR LOVE

REASON TO WORRY

IF NOT FOR YOU

LONELY QUEEN

LOVE'S GONNA LIVE HERE AGAIN

SO LONG, BABE!

THE ARCHIES

w/DWIGHT YOAKAM, guitar

Arranger/Producer: RALFI CHINGAS

Sound Engineer: ALAN MAYBERRY

ALBUM SESSIONS

(VOCALS)

MAY 2002

SUN STUDIOS,

MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE

Reason To Worry - single flipside, Return To Archie Country LP

Sleepy-Eyed John - Return To Archie Country LP

I Ain't Never! - Archie Country LP

Eyes Of A New York Woman - Archie Country LP

Pretty Anna Belle - single, Archie Country LP

No Love At All - single flipside, Archie Country LP

Everybody - Lonely Weekends EP

When I Stop Leavin', I'll Be Gone - single, Archie Country LP

THE ARCHIES

w/KEVIN KELLER, backing vocals

Arranger/Producer: RALFI CHINGAS

Sound Engineer: ALAN MAYBERRY

Jughead sang all the leads at these sessions exceptfor "Reason To Worry", which was sung by Veronica. "I Ain't Never!" was also issued as a fan club single flipside.

ALBUM SESSIONS

(VOCALS)

JUNE 2002

SUN STUDIOS,

MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE

Comin' On Strong - Archie Country LP

Don't Hide Your Love - Archie Country LP

The Race Is On - Archie Country LP

Walk A Mile In My Shoes - Return To Archie Country LP

Love's Gonna Live Here Again - Archie Country LP

If Not For You - single flipside, Archie Country LP

Lonely Queen - single (VERONICA), Archie Country LP

So Long, Babe! - single flipside, Archie Country LP

Waiting For You - single flipside

My Boy Archie - Return To Archie Country LP

THE ARCHIES

w/KEVIN KELLER, backing vocals

Arranger/Producer: RALFI CHINGAS

Sound Engineer: ALAN MAYBERRY

SINGLES SESSION

(INSTRUMENTALS + VOCALS)

AUGUST 19, 2002

ISLAND PACIFIC STUDIOS,

HONG KONG, CHINA

Disco Queen (in Chinese) - single (Asia)

THE ARCHIES

Arranger/Producer: PAM-PAM

Sound Engineer: LEE CHANG HOWE

Betty sang lead on The Archies' first foreign-

language release. It was not successful.

2003

SINGLES SESSIONS

(INSTRUMENTALS + VOCALS)

FEBRUARY 3 - 8, 2003

ARCHIE SOUND STUDIOS (ASS),

MAMARONECK, NEW YORK

You're My Baby - single flipside (France)

Maryann - single flipside (India)

The Cheater - single flipside (Australia)

Lucky Lindsay - Retro box set

THE ARCHIES

w/KEVIN KELLER, backing vocals

Arranger: ARCHIE ANDREWS

Producer: RALFI CHINGAS

Sound Engineer: ALAN MAYBERRY

An earlier Archies recording of "The Cheater" exists,

dating from the Don Kirshner era. This second versionfeatures Jughead on lead vocals. "You're My Baby"(led by Reggie) and "Maryann" (featuring Veronica and Betty)were also issued as fan club single flipsides.

ALBUM SESSIONS

(INSTRUMENTALS + VOCALS)

MARCH 2003

ARCHIE SOUND STUDIOS (ASS),

MAMARONECK, NEW YORK

The Last Time - The Last Time EP

It's Only Rock 'n' Roll - Like A Rolling Stone LP

incomplete

incomplete

Shattered! - The Last Time EP

incomplete

It's All Over Now - single flipside (Japan)

Time Is On My Side - Like A Rolling Stone LP

THE ARCHIES

w/MICK JAGGER, percussion

Arranger: ARCHIE ANDREWS

Producer: RALFI CHINGAS

Sound Engineer: ALAN MAYBERRY

"It's All Over Now" was issued as a fan club single flipside.

Archie and Reggie sang a duet lead.

ALBUM SESSIONS

(INSTRUMENTALS + VOCALS)

APRIL 2003

ARCHIE SOUND STUDIOS (ASS),

MAMARONECK, NEW YORK

Start Me Up! - Like A Rolling Stone LP reissue

Brown Sugar - Like A Rolling Stone LP

incomplete

Honky Tonk Women - single flipside, Like A Rolling Stone LP

incomplete

incomplete

Ruby Tuesday - Like A Rolling Stone LP

Summer In The City (underdub) - single flipside (Philippines)

THE ARCHIES

w/CHUCK CLAYTON, guitar + backing vocals

Arranger: ARCHIE ANDREWS

Producer: RALFI CHINGAS

Sound Engineer: ALAN MAYBERRY

"Summer In The City" was also issued as a fan club single.

Reggie sang lead.

ALBUM SESSIONS

(INSTRUMENTALS + VOCALS)

APRIL/MAY 2003

THE CAPITOL TOWER,

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA

Let's Spend The Night Together - Like A Rolling Stone LP

Get Off My Cloud! - Like A Rolling Stone LP

(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction - Like A Rolling Stone LP

Nineteenth Nervous Breakdown - single, Like A Rolling Stone LP

Under My Thumb - single flipside

Dandelion - Like A Rolling Stone LP

Jumpin' Jack Flash - Like A Rolling Stone LP

Tumbling Dice - single, Like A Rolling Stone LP

THE ARCHIES

w/KEVIN KELLER, backing vocals

Arranger: ARCHIE ANDREWS

Producer: RALFI CHINGAS

Sound Engineer: ALAN MAYBERRY

"Jumpin' Jack Flash" was also issued as a fan club single.

Veronica and Betty sang a duet lead.

ALBUM SESSIONS

(INSTRUMENTALS + VOCALS)

MAY 2003

OCEAN WAY STUDIOS,

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA

Start Me Up! - Like A Rolling Stone LP

Beast Of Burden - Like A Rolling Stone LP

Street Fighting Man - single flipside, Like A Rolling Stone LP

Gimme Shelter - Like A Rolling Stone LP

Paint It Black - Like A Rolling Stone LP

Emotional Rescue - single, Like A Rolling Stone LP

The Last Time - Like A Rolling Stone LP

Happy - single, Like A Rolling Stone LP

Like A Rolling Stone - Like A Rolling Stone LP

THE ARCHIES

w/KEVIN KELLER, backing vocals

Arranger/Producer: RALFI CHINGAS

Sound Engineer: ALAN MAYBERRY

Featuring Betty's lead, "Happy" was the biggest

hit single from these album sessions.

SINGLES SESSIONS

(VOCALS)

NOVEMBER 9 - 14, 2003

CRANBERRY STUDIOS,

AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS

Summer In The City (in Dutch) (overdub) - lost

Big City Miss Ruth Ann (in Dutch) (overdub) - Archie Around The World

Everybody (in Dutch) (overdub) - single (Netherlands)

When I Stop Leavin', I'll Be Gone (in Dutch) (overdub) - single (Netherlands)

THE ARCHIES

Producer: NETTA VOORHIES

Sound Engineer: JOHANN PAPAGEORGIOU

The Archie's second foreign-language release was

not successful. A Dutch single of "Summer In

The City"/"Everybody" by THE DONUT HOELZ was actually an Archies bootleg!

Betty's lead, and is an entirely different song from the one recorded in May.

That song has a lead vocal by Archie. Outside of North America,

"River-Deep, Mountain-High" became an international hit; it

features an ensemble group vocal.

SINGLES SESSION

(INSTRUMENTALS + VOCALS)

SEPTEMBER 12, 2004

SPANISH EDDIE'S BAR + GRILL,

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA

Bend Me, Shape Me - Retro box set

Stop! And You'll Become Aware - Glitter + Gold LP (Australia)*

THE ARCHIES

w/RALFI CHINGAS, trumpet

Arrangers: ARCHIE ANDREWS, *REGGIE MANTLE

Producers: RALFI CHINGAS + THE ARCHIES

Sound Engineer: EDDIE ROXCHILD

The Archies will re-record "Stop! And You'll Become Aware"

in September 2011. This first version features Reggie on lead.

Spanish Eddie's was a Gay nightclub with a full-service

recording studio on the top floor.

REMIX SESSIONS

SEPTEMBER 20-22, 2004

SPANISH EDDIE'S BAR + GRILL,

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA

Soul Deep - Hot, Sweet + LIve! EP

Does Your Mother Know? - Hot, Sweet + LIve! EP

Tex-Mex Medley:

Take A Letter, Maria/Livin' La Vida Loca - Australian Singles Collection box set

Big City Miss Ruth Ann - Hot, Sweet + Live! EP

Hold On, Baby - Hot, Sweet + Live LP reissue

Good Deal, Lucille - Hot, Sweet + Live! EP

Hip Shaker - Hot, Sweet + Live! EP

That's All I Ever Want From You, Baby - End Of A Century LP

Nobody But You - Hot, Sweet + Live! EP

Lonely Weekends - Hot, Sweet + Live LP reissue

Who's Your Baby? - Hot, Sweet + Live! EP

Sugar, Sugar - Hot, Sweet + Live! EP

Happy - Hot, Sweet + Live! EP

Sunshine - single, Hot, Sweet + Live! EP

THE ARCHIES

Producers: RALFI CHINGAS + THE ARCHIES

Remix Engineer: EDDIE ROXCHILD

The songs remixed at these sessions were captured live

@ Congo Square in New Orleans by Alan Mayberry.

They were first released in late 2004 on a double EP set.The LP version of The Archies' first live album, released in early 2005, features different edits

of these mixes.

This first part of Archie's Studio Sessionography includes Great American Songbook selections by such legendary writers as GERRY GOFFIN, CAROLE KING, BUCK OWENS, JOE SOUTH, MICK JAGGER, KEITH RICHARDS, JEFF BARRY, ELLIE GREENWICH and PHIL SPECTOR. In Part Two, The Archies bag another million-seller, return to Memphis, visit London's Abbey Road Studios for an excursion into Psychedlic Rock, and reunite with former background singers Ron Dante and Toni Wine.